Water - Trace leaks

Mud flats, Alaska

Worldwide, on average half the water in distribution grids and in cities is lost to leakage. Thus, the volume of water lost in Nairobi to leaks and illegal siphoning could meet the needs of Mombassa, the country's second-largest city.
_____________________________________________________________________
Trace the leaks in your house's plumbing: a dripping tap can lose 15 litres of water a day if it drips at a rate of one drop every second. A leaking toilet can lose 45 litres a day.

Biodiversity - Be unobtrusive while out in the countryside

Primary tropical forest, Austrailia

More than one-third of Europe's bird species are threatened with extinction. Birds are vulnerable to habitat damage from intensive agriculture and forestry, the growing impact of development on the land, unrestricted water use and all kinds of pollution.
_____________________________________________________________________
When you are out in the countryside, treat wildlife with respect. Do not disturb animals, especially young animals and chicks. Watch them discreetly, from a distance, without disturbing the peace and tranquility of their nesting places.

Agriculture - Choose a well-bred chicken

Drifting ice floe, Antartica

By breeding fowl using growth-promoting drugs and antibiotics, farmers have succeeded in decreasing the average amount of time it takes to produce an average 2.2 kilogram chicken, from 84 days in 1950 to 50 days today. Living conditions for these battery-raised animals are crowded and grim; these birds never even see the light of day. Recently, free-range and organically-raised chicken has become more widely available as an alternative, although organic farmers in the UK may keep flocks of up to 12,000 birds, in line with European Union standards. Instead, seek out organic and free-range chickens and eggs marked with the more stringent Soil Association label. These animals live in flocks of no more than 2,000 and ideally no bigger than 500 birds. Their diet includes organic grain, but no drugs. While more expensive to produce, humanely raised chickens are healthier and they taste better.
_____________________________________________________________________
Consider reducing your meat consumption and replace quantity with quality. Think about how that inexpensive, intensively raised roast came to market and treat yourself to the somewhat more costly, but much happier organic bird. Choose meat, dairy products and eggs bearing the Soil Association, IOFGA, or Organic Farmers and Growers mark. www.irishorganic.ie/ www.organicfarmers.uk.com/

Biodiversity - Refuse to buy any objects made from ivory

Elephant, Kenya

Massacred for the ivory of its tusks, the numbers of African elephants are now dwindling massively. In Kenya and Tazania, about 70,000 African elephants were killed each year between 1975 and 1980. Between 1980 and 2000, their numbers fell from 1.4 million to 400,000.
_____________________________________________________________________
Although the international ivory trade was banned in 1990, jewellery and statuettes made from ivory can still be bought in African and Asian markets. If traders offer you ivory objects illegally, do not buy them. It encourages trafficking and, since the trade in ivory items is illegal, you will not be allowed to take them home.

Water - Do not waste water when travelling to places where it is scarce

Namib Desert, Namibia

About 65 % of the water people use is pumped from underground aquifers. However, more is drawn off than is naturally replaced because impervious surfaces such as pavement and buildings prevent rainwater from entering the ground; therefore, aquifers are gradually being drained dry. Some aquifers close to the sea - in Spain, for example - have started to fill up with salt water. In India, the water table has dropped by between up to 3 metres over three-quarters of the country's area. This shortage is evidence of the need for proper conservation and management instead of technological fixes, such as desalinisation plants, to access more water.
_____________________________________________________________________
In some countries, water is scarce. Think about it when you are travelling. In developing countries, the average tourist uses as much water in 24 hours as a local villager does in 100 days. Be careful: take as few baths as possible and avoid wasting this precious liquid.

Gardening - Prevent Soil erosion

Seeds, Shenandoah National Park, United States

Soil erosion is caused by wind and rain and is aggravated by human activity. The texture of the soil, the gradient of the ground and the plants growing in it all play a part. When soil becomes impacted through heavy rainfall, water is not able to penetrate the surface and so runs off, eroding the edges of river banks and ponds as it does so. Bare spots on a lawn and exposed shrub and tree roots are signs of soil erosion in a garden. Signs of erosion in the country side are muddy water in streams or drainage ditches, the build-up of silt and the widening and deepening of streams and rivers.
_____________________________________________________________________
Help prevent soil erosion: use mulch on flower beds, install guttering and downpipes that discharge rain water onto areas where it won't cause damage, and protect the soil where it enters the ground by using splash blocks or drainage tiles.

Transport - Cycle or walk for short trips

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

We cheerfully use the car to travel short distances. A national survey showed that the average annual distance travelled in a car has increased. In the lowest income bracket, drivers typically travel less than 8 kilometres on average in their motor vehicles. In the highest income bracket, drivers average twice that per trip.
_____________________________________________________________________
Choose to cycle or walk instead. A walk of just one kilometre, or just over half a mile, into town takes less than 15 minutes! It is difficult to beat that in a car, when u think of the time spent looking for somewhere to park. You will save fuel and the world will be spared yet more greenhouse gas emissions and climatic upheaval.

Agriculture - Buy organic food for your baby

White Desert, Egypt

Studies have shown that human exposure to pesticides can cause neurological disturbances, increase the frequency of certain cancers, damage the immune system and reduce male fertility. Pesticides degrade soil and contaminate drinking water, leading to significant clean-up costs. These chemicals also kill non-targeted insects and affect all organisms higher up in the food chain. A conventional farmer might use as many as 450 different authorised pesticides, whereas an organic farmer might use just 7 natural pesticides, and only then in a controlled way.
_____________________________________________________________________
If 'going organic' for the whole family looks like a daunting project, at least give priority to feeding organic foods to babies and young children. The average child has 4 times more exposure than an adult to at least 10 widely used cancer-causing pesticides. Pesticides can increase susceptibility to certain cancers by breaking down the immune system's resistance to cancer cells. Infants and children are among those at greatest risk.
www.soilassociation.org/

Waste - When you eat out, eat in

Scorpian Fish, Thailand

In the space of about 30 years the volume of waste generated by household packaging has risen by 5 times, and by as much as 50 times in the case of certain materials such as plastic. During the 1970s, the appearance of containers made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) allowed the manufacture of 'disposable' items, to be thrown out after a single use. The trend towards the use of such items has intensified, and is now closely connected to the recent fashion among consumers for eating on the move.
_____________________________________________________________________
At work, when taking your lunch hour, avoid buying take-away meals, which produce large quantities of waste, especially non-recyclable plastic. Take the time to sit down and enjoy your food on the premises.

Lifestyle - Lobby your MP about the environment - make your feelings known

Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina

If you feel that your local authority should adopt the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard for new buildings and use more renewable energy, if your think that energy is used wastefully in public buildings and street lighting, or if you disagree with your area's transport and development plans, make your feelings known.
_____________________________________________________________________
Lobby your MP to make him (or her) listen to your environmental concerns and urge them to take decisions that fit with sustainable development. The democratic process needs input from the people, and remember, your elected officials represent you!

Chemicals - Wash your windows with vinegar

Bacteria, Kamchatka, Russia

Most of the world's pollution comes from the developed countries, which produce more than 95% of dangerous pollution. However, in these countries the regulations governing the disposal of dangerous industrial waste have become so strict and involve so much expense that companies have turned to developing countries to take their waste. And industry is not the only area in which chemical products proliferate.
_____________________________________________________________________
Most window cleaning fluids contain synthetic compounds that are harmful to rivers. Replace them with a bucket of water, to which you have added a few spoonfuls of vinegar. Apply this with a cloth or newspaper, rather than with a paper towel.

Biodiversity - Leave protected plants and animals alone

Albatross, Roaring Forties, off the coast of South Africa

Every hour, more than 2 species of plant or animal disappear from the earth. In the space of just a century, more than 100 species of mammal and 150 bird species have been wiped out for good.
The chief causes of biodiversity loss are the destruction of natural habitats, the introduction of foreign species and the excessive exploitation of species. Some especially threatened species are now protected: whales, turtles, rhinoceroses, tigers, pandas and orchids are among the best known. However, there are thousands of other less well known but equally significant species.
_____________________________________________________________________
When you visit wild places, do not destroy or remove protected plant or animal species.
Instead, find out more about them and discover how you can contribute to their protection and restoration.

Agriculture - Buy traditional varieties of fruit and vegetables

Cranberries, United States

In its headlong rush for profitability, the agricultural industry has favoured the most productive and disease-resistant types of produce at the expense of many native varieties of fruit and vegetables that are regarded as less desirable. It has been established that around 80% of tomato and 92% of lettuce varieties have been lost. Some of these, neglected for decades, survive only in special conservation facilities.
_____________________________________________________________________
Standardisation is gaining ground at the expense of biological diversity. Think about varying your choice of fruit and vegetables; try different types and rediscover traditional varieties. Local farms often revive seek stock and sometimes develop their own delicious types of produce based on historical varieties

Transport - Try an electric bike

Uzon caldera, Kamchatka, Russia

Preserving the quality of the air around us is vital to life and our well-being. Air pollution kills 3 times as many people as road accidents. It causes respiratory diseases (chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis) and is responsible for 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
_____________________________________________________________________
Why not try an electric bicycle. It is an attractive alternative to the car for short journeys. The electric motor saves your legs by halving the effort needed to pedal, and it includes a removable, easily rechargeable battery. However, most importantly, it emits no pollution and is silent, and you can leave the cars behind in a traffic jam.

Chemicals - Use biodegradable cleaning products

Giant clam, Australia

In the local supermarket we can buy acids, phenols, oil derivatives, corrosive solutions, chlorine and an entire arsenal of toxic products, all supposedly necessary for keeping our homes clean...if we are to believe the adverts.
_____________________________________________________________________
Choose environmentally friendly and biodegradable household cleaning products that do not contain the most dangerous substances. You will be contributing to the preservation of the soil, air and water.

Lifestyle - Act now to preserve the environment. Make the first move, do not wait for someone else to do it.

Icebergs, Greenland

It is easy to say to yourself that one small polluting or harmful action will not endanger the earth's future. However, when these small actions are repeated across the world, they build up to create problems of dramatic proportions. Similarly, one small, isolated action to preserve the environment will not improve matters on its own, but if these actions are repeated everyday by millions of people, they will have a significant effect. If the majority adopt environmental practices as a new way of life, they will contribute to preserving the earth and its riches for future generations.
__________________________________________________________
Do not wait for friends or neighbours to set an example. Make the first move yourself. They might be waiting for you!

The origin of 365 Ways...

I came across this amazing book by Phillippe Bourseiller when i was in Denmark close to a year ago:

"For the past 15 years, Phillippe Bourseiller has photographed nature from every angle: from the eruption of the volcano Pinatubo to the great deserts of ice and sand, he has captured the hidden colours and breathtaking lights of our planet.

But our contemporary way of life threatens this fragile beauty. To encourage more restraint, Philippe Bourseiller teams 365 photographs with a daily ecological action. Each of the initiatives is accompanied by facts and statistics that illustrate the threats to the environment posed by our behavious, and demonstrate the beneficial consequences of the recommended actions. Each day reveals the image of a wonder of nature along with the guidelines to preserve our planet. Through the pages of 365 Ways to Save the Earth, a truly ethical way of life takes shape."

Starting from today, i would like to post each inspiring page according to the days on the yearly calendar (supposed to start from jan, but...i'll catch up!). Hopefully, you'll look at everyday a little differently after this...

Agriculture - Buy more Fair Trade products

Yellowstone River Canyon, United States

Fair Trade accounts for not even 1% of world trade. It directly benefits some 800,000 producers and their families (more than 5 million people in around 50 countries) and allows them to meet their needs for food, health, housing, education and social security. However, the broadening of the Fair Trade market to embrace new co-operatives in developing countries depends on demand, which in turn depends on the awareness of consumers in Europe, the United States and Japan.
_____________________________________________________________________
In the UK, consumers spent over 140 million pounds on Fair Trade-marked products in 2004, an increase of 51 % over the previous year. Coffee accounts for 35% of the total. But dont stop at Fair Trade coffee. Why not include other Fair Trade products in your shopping basket: choose from tea, chocolate, orange juice, bananas, pineapples, rice, honey, sugar and many more.

Leisure - Be environmentally aware when taking part in your favourite leisure activity

Soft coral, Indonesia

Many people take part in leisure activities that involve coming into direct contact with the environment. The careless and selfish attitude of some can cause enormous damage. Unscrupulous divers hack off pieces of beautiful coral to take home as souvenirs. What would become of the coral reef if all divers did this? A yachtsman might tip several litres of oil overboard while out at sea or sailing on a lake. What would happen if all yachtsmen disposed of used oil in the same way?
_____________________________________________________________________
Respect nature and the environment when taking part in outdoor activities. Whatever your passion, whether it is climbing in the mountains, diving or sailing, there should be an environmental charter for your sport to encourage responsible behaviour. Contact your sport's national federation. If such a charter does not yet exist, suggest that one be drawn up.

Agriculture - Make it a rule to buy organic for a given product

Acacia, Namibia

To protect crops from parasitic insects and plants, farmers use pesticides, and to increase their crop yields, they spread fertilisers. World consumption of the chemicals used in both is growing exponentially: it leapt from 30 million tonnes a year in 1960 to 140 million tonnes in 2000.
However, half the pesticides and fertilisers sprayed over the fields are of no benefit to crops. As soon as it rains, the excess runs off into rivers and seeps into groundwater (from which two-thirds of our drinking water comes).
_____________________________________________________________________
Organic farming avoids the damage caused to the environment by pesticides and insecticides. Buy organic produce to encourage organic farming practices and in the interests of your own health - strawberries, apples and spinach, in particular, retain high levels of pesticide residue if produced non-organically. www.organicconsumers.org/organic/pesticide-residues.cfm

Consumption - Buy recycled

Buy products that can be recycled in order to save natural resources. Recycled goods perform just as well as new products made from raw materials. Although some recycled goods are more expensive, many are competitively priced, particularly those products which have been on the market for some time. Be proactive and encourage recycling by buying more recycled products.
_____________________________________________________________________
When you go shopping, always look for a recycled version of whatever you want to buy. Many kinds of products are now available: from office supplies, paper, textiles and carpets, to building materials and parts for your car.

Water - Use less water when flushing the toilet

Iceberg, Greenland

Water that has been used for domestic purposes such as in dishwashers, showers or washing machines (excluding the toilet), is called 'greywater'. Comprising at least half of all residential wastewater, it can be used for other purposes, such as watering the garden. While ecologically oriented buildings in the US have installed greywater systems, they have yet to make an appearance in any number in the UK.
_____________________________________________________________________
Place a bottle filled with sand in your toilet cistern and you will reduce the volume of water used with each flush. Do not use a brick (as is sometimes recommended) since if it starts to decay, pieces could get into the toilet system and cause leaks. Alternatively, replace your toilet with a low-flush or dual-flush type toilet. The half-flush option means that water use can be reduced by up to 8 litres for every flush.

Waste - Encourage your place of work to start composting waste

Klyuchevskoy volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

Organic household waste can be converted into compost, a natural fertiliser that will increase the soil's ability to retain air and water, check erosion and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. The compost is produced by the action of the micro-organisms present causing the waste to break down and decompose, one kilogram of organic waste produces around 300 grams of compost.
_____________________________________________________________________
The composting of organic waste can benefit the whole community. Take the initiative and approach your children's school canteen or the kitchen at your workplace, and explain the ecological and economic advantages of composting waste. Even if they do not decide to compost waste, it might encourage them to think about the amount that is thrown out and come up with alternative solutions to the problem.

Energy - Improve the efficiency of your radiators

Namib Desert, Namibia

The world's consumption of energy is producing vast amounts of pollution and waste. The nuclear industry in particular produces an enormous amount of waste. Today there are 438 nuclear power stations in the world, and a further 34 are being built, 20 of these in Asia. Between them they produce 17% of the world's electricity - and 10,000 tonnes of nuclear waste per year, adding to the 200,000 tonnes already in existence.
_____________________________________________________________________
To reduce your domestic energy consumption, make your radiators more efficient by placing reflective panels or sheets of aluminium foil behind them, this will bounce the heat back into the room.

Energy - Buy 'green' electricity

Aurora borealis, Finland

The Eugene standard (and its accredited certification labels), conferred by the European network of the same name, offers electricity producers, consumers, and governments simple, relevant criteria for assessing the environmental quality of a given electricity source, and to choose electricity supplies certified as coming from renewable, non polluting energy sources. It also gives consumers interested in energy matters information on where their electricity comes from, and allows them to find out about the environmental impact of their choices. Renewable energy has far less impact on the environment than fossil fuels and nuclear power.
_____________________________________________________________________
Find out how you can buy green electricity.

Forests - Recycle Christmas trees and cards

Blizzard over the inlandsis, Greenland

As soon as Christmas is over, countless Christmas trees and Christmas cards are thrown out with the household waste. Disposing of them is costly for the community and is a needless waste of raw or recyclable materials. Some local authorities make arrangements for the collecting of trees and cards for recycling. Thanks to a campaign by the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, 58 million Christmas cards were recycled following the festive season of 2004.
_____________________________________________________________________
Recycle your cards and if your local authority does not collect Christmas trees, ask if it can arrange to do so. Buy a tree with its roots intact and plant it in a container. Keep it watered and when Christmas is over, plant it out in the garden.

Energy - Turn down your heating by 1 deg Celcius

Whale Shark, Australia

Buildings are a major source of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Two-thirds of the energy used by buildings is for hot water and heating. Carefully managing our domestic heating thus allows us to minimise global warming and to avoid further polluting the air around us.
_____________________________________________________________________
Our houses are often heated to excess. The ideal living room temperature is 20 deg C (68 deg F), and bedrooms are healthier at 16 deg C (60.8 deg F). Each one-degree increase in temperature produces a 7 to 11 % increase in energy consumption (depending on how well-insulated your home is). Use your heat wisely and insulate well.

Agriculture - Buy Fair Trade products, and help combat child labour

Mount Benbow volcano, Vanuatu

Worldwide, some 211 children between the ages of 5 n 14 are forced to work. Three-quarters of these children work in agriculture. Employed on plantations producing sugar cane, tea, tobacco n coffee, they often toil in fields that have been freshly sprayed with pesticides, sometimes even working while spraying takes place. Fair Trade labels guarantee that goods are produced under fair conditions, that workers are paid fairly, that forced labour is forbidden and, of course, that children are not used as a source of cheap labour.
__________________________________________________________
Buying Fair Trade products is, among other things, a way of working towards safeguarding basic human rights, especially the rights of children.